Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Ten standard days had passed since coming aboard the ship and Lilly’s coronation. While everyone was polite to her, it was easy to sense a thinly veiled level of dislike and contempt from the crew she met, and especially from Cara, Lucia, and Indie. Indie in particular enjoyed making her life uncomfortable. Indie was constantly making snide comments whenever no one else was around about how ugly and stupid Lilly was, that Lilly was an inferior species and not worthy of Ronan or of being their princess. That her children would be mongrels and half-breeds, and shouldn’t be allowed to be born.

In addition, Ronan had practically abandoned her; if not for his showing up every night for several rounds of lovemaking, Lily would have thought he’d abandoned her. She tried to be patient and understanding, but between being pregnant and once again completely at the mercy of strangers, she was given to daily bouts of depression. If not for Cahir keeping her company and taking her on tours of the ship every day she would have probably spent the entire trip hiding in bed.

Making matters worse was the fact that she hadn’t seen Lars. Lars, according to Captain Cara, was undergoing training of some kind. Captain Cara had more or less stated that Lars, like her, was from an inferior species and had to undergo extensive training before being allowed on Gilese. Lilly had been worried about Lars’ safety, but Cahir and assured her that the lizard man was well.

Lilly stepped into the crowded dining hall to see that Ronan was already sitting in his usual place. Lilly gave Lt Indie a forced smile before she hurried away to take her usual seat beside Ronan. When Lilly sat down, she turned to see Indie watching her with such open hatred it made a shiver go down Lilly’s back. Ronan turned as she sat down to give her a smile before taking her hand and giving it a quick squeeze.

“How was your morning?” Ronan asked, giving her a sideways glance.

Lilly was about to answer that she’d spent a mostly enjoyable day checking on her plants when an officer stepped up to Ronan and bowed.

“Please forgive me for interrupting your meal, your majesty, but the admiral needs to speak with you.” The officer gave Ronan an apologetic smile.

“I will be there shortly, forgive me Lilly. Please eat, and I will try to find you later.” Ronan gave her hand a quick squeeze under the table before, he rose and followed the officer to the other side of the large dining hall.

Lilly sighed sadly as a server placed a plate before her, then turned to walk away without even speaking to her. Lilly looked at her plate of steamed vegetables and the flavorless, sponge- like cubes that were supposed to be health bars. Her stomach revolted at the unappetizing food, and the last of her appetite fled. She pushed her chair back and rose from the table, since Ronan would be occupied for some time, there was no point in staying. No one ever talked to her during any of the meals; they all stayed far away from her, either out of respect or because they loathed her. She would go back down to the lab and spend the rest of the day with her plants; at least they liked her company.

Lilly glanced quickly to the end of the hall to see Indie and the other two women were occupied joking with two officers, and slipped into the kitchen, hoping to make her escape unnoticed.

“Lilly, are you all right? You didn’t eat.” Lilly stopped in her tracks to see Cahir a few feet away. He was frowning as he studied her.

“I’m fine, really.” Lilly forced a smile and looked quickly towards the other exit of the kitchen.

“No, I don’t think you are. You look unhappy and paler than usual.” Cahir stepped closer, his face full of concern.

Lilly shook her head as she fought not to cry, but she was so lonely and so unhappy, and she was having a hard time keeping her emotions under control. Cahir must have seen something in her face, because he stepped forward to ease his hand under her right elbow.

“Come, we can go into the corridor and speak in private.” Cahir nodded towards the door she had been eyeing, and with a nod, Lilly let Cahir guide her through the door.

Cahir and Lilly stepped away from the sliding door and a few feet down the corridor, and then Cahir removed his hand. “We are alone now. Please tell me what is wrong. I like to think that we are friends now.”

Lilly considered refusing for a moment, but she did need someone to talk to. “I just feel so alone; Ronan is always so busy, I never see him till late at night. Even Lars isn’t here for me to talk to, and everyone hates me.” Lilly fought against her tears as she took a ragged breath.

Cahir shook his head. He could see that Lilly was fighting for control and placed a comforting hand on her arm. “I’m sure it isn’t that bad.”

“You don’t believe me, either. I told Ronan those women hate me, but he won’t listen; he said that it’s my imagination and I should be honored to have them as my guard.” Lilly shook her head and sniffed back tears dejectedly.

“I’m sorry, I’m listening now. Why do you think they hate you?” Cahir had little practice actually talking with females about their feelings. His interactions with them had always been of a physical nature, but he liked Lilly as a friend, and for her, he would try to help.

“I have heard them talking to each other and to officers in the corridors, they say I am ugly and stupid and worse. Just this morning, Indie was telling an officer that if I were gone, Ronan would take her for his concubine. That all I am good for is breeding, and that Ronan doesn’t care for me.” Lilly sniffed again and used her sleeve to wipe away her tears.

Cahir wanted to say that it was all Lilly’s imagination, but he’d heard the whispers in the corridors himself. The fact that Ronan was spending so little time with Lilly was only giving the rumors traction.

“Pay them no mind, they are just jealous,” Cahir replied, giving Lilly a smile. “Go to your room and rest. I will ask the head cook to send food to your chamber, and then I will find Ronan and speak to him. It will all be better soon, I promise. We should be home soon.”

“Your home, not mine. I lost my home for the first time when I was captured and for the second time when I came away from the Pleasure planet with Ronan and you.” Lilly blurted out as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Cahir stifled a curse and stepped forward to wrap his arms about Lilly to give her a comforting hug. He had just slipped his arms about her when the door opened behind them, and Cara, Indie, and Lucia, as well as two ensigns, stepped out of the kitchen.

“See it is as I said, the female is a whore and has been using our prince.” Indie sneered looking at Lilly as if she were a bug.

Cahir stepped away from Lilly as rage filled him. “How dare you call our princess a whore? I shall report you to the Prince, and you shall be in the brig by the end of the watch.”

“Oh, I think not, you see, we witnessed you and the Prince’s consort being intimate, that is a crime punishable by death. You shall have a hard time alerting anyone from the brig.” Captain Cara sneered. “Lennix, Rawling, take Lieutenant Cahir to the brig, be sure that no one sees you.

“What, are you mad?” Cahir snapped. The two ensigns stepped forward pointing laser pistols at Cahir. “And what about Lilly? What are you going to do with her? She is pregnant with our future king?”

“She is not your concern; take him away.” Indie snapped. The two ensigns motioned at Cahir with their pistols making him tense.

Lilly saw the rage on Cahir’s face and knew he was about to try and jump the ensigns, and that if he did, it would likely end in his death. “Cahir, don’t they’ll kill you where you stand if you try anything.”

With a nod, Cahir held up his hands. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but you won’t get away with this. Ronan cares deeply for Lilly; you harm her, and you sign your death warrant.” Cahir said as Lennix motioned for him to move down the passageway.

“He won’t care; the fact that he ignores her is proof that he does not value her beyond the child she can bear him. Once she is gone, Indie shall become his concubine. Now take him away and try not to let anyone see you.” Captain Cara ordered, her eyes as hard as stone.

“Don’t hurt her, if you value your lives, you won’t harm her,” Cahir said as Lennix put the tip of his pistol against Cahir’s back and then pushed him away from Lilly.

Lilly watched Cahir being marched away down the passageway and turned back to the three females before her. Lilly was considering her odds of escaping if she attacked one of them. Indie, was the closest and was giving looking at her with such open loathing and contempt that Lilly took a step back.

“What are you going to do to me? If I die, Ronan will be furious.” Lilly placed her hand on her baby bump. “He wants the children I am carrying.”

“And he shall get them. You see, all he needs is your ability to breed him children; he doesn’t need the rest of you. In fact, the rest of you is a nuisance and unwanted.” Captain Cara sneered.

“I don’t understand.” Lilly protested as Indie stepped forward, waving her pistol in Lilly’s direction.

“That is because you are too simple-minded to. You will have an accident that will destroy your mind but leave your body working.” Indie gave Lilly a twisted smile. “I shall become Ronan’s concubine and then his wife. Your body shall be supported and used to bear Ronan’s children. He shall have his offspring, and I shall have him.”

“Do you really think Ronan will take you to his bed, will make you his concubine?” Lilly asked, trying to buy time. If she could stall long enough, someone was bound to come out the door from the kitchen.

“Of course, he shall. I am beautiful and powerful, and you are nothing. Now move, there are many ways I can hurt you that won’t harm the children you carry now move.” Indie stepped forward, waving her pistol at Lilly. “And in case you think of trying to warn anyone we have your foul lizard friend somewhere safe. Do what we tell you, or I’ll be wearing him as boots.”

Lilly didn’t stop to think; she simply launched herself at Indie slamming her right shoulder into her stomach, catching the taller, larger female by surprise. Indie, unprepared for the attack, staggered backwards into Captain Cara. Captain Cara, taken by surprise, dropped her laser pistol; it hit the metal passageway floor with a loud clang.

Lilly took advantage of Indie’s surprise to smash her right fist into Indie’s nose, putting all her pent-up anger and fear into the hit. Pain shot up Lilly’s arm at the hit, but she didn’t let that stop her. She pulled back her arm and smashed the surprised Indie in the face again, making Indie scream as her nose made a loud crunch.

Lilly stepped back and began running as fast as she could, but she didn’t get far before she felt a sharp burning pain in her left shoulder. Lilly took a few more staggering steps before the pain was too much, and she sank to her knees as the three females surrounded her.

“Indie, what did you do? What if you had killed her?” Lucia snarled in obvious outrage, as she reached down to grab Lilly by the right arm and force her to her feet.

“I’m too good a shot; besides she had it coming for striking me,” Indie replied, wiping the blood off her face with her sleeve.

Lilly tried to pull her arm from Lucia’s grip but, she was too strong, and she was rapidly losing blood which was making her lightheaded. “Whatever you are planning won’t work. Ronan cares for me; he won’t fall for your lies.”

“I doubt that, if he cared for you then why is he not with you now?” Indie sneered.

“Enough talking, every moment we stand here we risk being caught, we need to get her to the med center and hooked up before we are caught,” Cara stated, looking up and down the passageway to be sure it was clear.

“All right, are you sure Uwe can keep her body alive while destroying her brain? We can’t risk harming the children she carries.” Lucia said as she began pulling Lilly down the corridor.

“If he can’t, it will be unfortunate, but we will be free of this pathetic creature that would contaminate our world,” Cara stated, waving her pistol in Lilly’s direction. “And don’t think of calling for help or trying to alert anyone to your plight. We have allies all over the ship; if you do anything to call attention to us, your lizard friend shall die. Now move.”

Lilly had no choice but to comply; she didn’t doubt that she would be killed if she refused to cooperate. All she could do was go along and hope that Ronan and the others came looking for her soon.

* * * *

Eacha pushed Rugger into a space between two conduits and covered his mouth with his hand to keep him quiet, while around the corner in the main corridor, Indie could be heard threatening Lilly. Rugger glared at Eacha as Indie and the other females dragged the injured Lilly away. When their footsteps began to fade, Eacha stepped back.

Rugger balled his fists in anger as he stepped out of the small space. “Why did you stop me? They shot Lilly; we have to go after them and rescue her.”

“And do what? We have no weapons, and we don’t know how many allies they have or where they have taken Cahir. Set your comm unit for channel ten, and follow them carefully. But don’t do anything unless they harm Lilly further. I’m going to find Ronan.” Eacha stated.

Ronan nodded his head reluctantly. “Very well, but I don’t like this. Lilly is our friend and our princess. I gave my oath to protect her.”

“As did I, now go,” Eacha ordered.

Rugger nodded and hurried away quickly, rounding the corner and disappearing from view. Eacha watched his friend go then hurried down the corridor. He hoped Ronan was still in the dining hall, hoped that Ronan still had loyal followers or thinks would soon be getting very messy.

* * * *

Ronan hurried back to his spot at the head table, frowning when he didn’t see Lilly. He saw her plate had been untouched as he reached for his chair, and his frown deepened. She’d not touched her food it seemed, not that he could blame her; the food on her plate was rather unappealing in nature. A waiter hurried over as Ronan stood behind his chair and, with a bow, set a plate laden with succulent slices of meat and mashed tubers before him.

“Where is my wife?” Ronan asked as the younger male stepped back.

“I don’t know, sir; I brought her food but was called away.” The waiter replied.

“Perhaps you can answer this question then, why is my wife, my princess, given food that I would not give a prisoner?” Ronan snapped in anger.

“My lord, I only bring out the food.” The waiter protested.

“Fine, tell the head cook I wish to speak to him.” Ronan waved his hand, and the waiter, with a nervous nod, hurried away.

“Your little whore did not like her food and left.” The older colonel who was left of Lilly’s seat said.

Ronan turned to look at the colonel, who was smirking over the rim of his ale mug; Ronan was passingly acquainted with the officer who was called Omar. Omar should have retired long ago but because of the blight he’d continued in his post long past the time he should have retired.

“What did you call my wife?” Ronan took a step towards Omar, who shrugged before exchanging a look with the major who was seated on his right.

“Come now, it is all over the ship that the only reason you married the pale-skinned whore was to make your children legitimate. I mean, why else would you stoop so low as to make an inferior creature your wife?” Omar said bringing nods of agreement from the other officers.

Ronan’s hands clenched at his side as he stepped closer to Omar. “I would watch your words carefully.”

“Come, the whole ship agrees with me that your pale-skinned wife is unworthy of you and a whore. It is widely known that once she has given you a child or two, you will get rid of her and marry a more suitable female.” Omar chuckled loudly. “I would not mind taking your whore wife off your hands; she is rather lovely and exotic after all.”

Ronan grabbed Omar by the back of his uniform jacket and dragged him up and out of his chair in one smooth movement. Omar’s chair fell over backwards, clattering loudly on the metal floor, its sound bringing instant silence to the loud and crowded dining hall.

“I would watch your next words carefully for they might be your last.” Ronan grated out as the other officers at the table hurriedly rose to their feet and stepped back.

Omar gave him a surprised look as the blood drained from his face.

“Forgive me, your majesty; I was only repeating what the others have said.” Omar sputtered as Colonel Brandr and several officers hurried up to Ronan.

“My lord, let my men take Colonel Omar away; he will be charged for speaking out against the princess.” Colonel Brandr said.

Ronan looked around the silent dining hall, aware that all eyes were on him, and shoved colonel Omar away from him.

“Fine, get him out of my sight,” Ronan ordered as the officers flanking Brandr stepped forward to grab Omar by the arms.

The two officers forced Omar’s arms behind him and hustled him away towards the door to the kitchen as Brandr turned to the dining hall. “Please, everyone, finish your food; it was only a small disagreement.”

After a few minutes, the assembled officers returned to their meals, though the talking was much more subdued than before. As Ronan was about to order that Omar be charged with treason, Eacha hurried up to Ronan.

“Ronan, I need to speak to you,” Eacha said, giving Brandr a worried look.

“What, I’m in no mood for troop reports or other such nonsense now. I have to find Lilly.” Ronan retorted.

“It is about Lilly. I need to speak to you in private, and I need to do so now.” Eacha countered.

Ronan nodded towards the door to the kitchen. “In there, you come too.” Ronan pointed at Brandr before storming towards the kitchen door.

Ronan stepped through the door to the kitchen, followed by Eacha and Brandr and the noisy kitchen went instantly quiet. “All of you out.” Ronan barked.

The head cook looked like he wanted to argue, but the quelling look that Ronan gave him caused him to turn off the cooktop and motion all the kitchen workers towards a door at the back of the kitchen. As the workers filed, out Ronan rounded on Eacha.

“What is it? Where is Lilly?” Ronan snapped irritably.

Eacha looked over at Brandr; he would have to trust the other male.

“She was taken by Indie, Cara and Lucia,” Eacha answered.

“What do you mean by taken? They are her body guards.” Ronan snapped in annoyance. He had to find Lilly and apologize to her for how he’d been treating her of late. He was so happy to have his life back that he had failed to think about how all the changes were affecting her.

“They were her bodyguard, but they are now following their own agenda. They arrested Cahir a few minutes ago and charged him with having an affair with Lilly; they had him dragged off to who knows where. Then they”, Eacha shook his head.

“They what?” Ronan thundered.

“Indie attacked Lilly. When Lilly fought back and tried to flee, Indie shot her in the arm. The females are working with others, but I don’t know how many. Rugger is following Indie and the other females to see where they took Lilly.” Eacha answered.

“You saw them shoot Lilly and did nothing?” Ronan shouted, stepping towards Eacha, who flinched.

“They were armed, and Rugger and I weren’t, if they killed us then who would have warned you about what was happening?” Eacha retorted.

“Eacha was correct in his action, my lord. And I do not doubt his words; we must find Officer Cahir and the princess and rescue them both quickly.” Brandr said.

Ronan reluctantly nodded, “Forgive me, my friend, you were right, you said Rugger is following them? How badly was Lilly hurt?”

“She was bleeding but able to walk. There is more; they have Lars somewhere as well. I heard them tell Lilly that if she did not come, they would kill him. Rugger is following them at a distance, and I told him to switch his comm unit to channel ten, as I know that channel is rarely used.” Eacha stated, looking around the kitchen to be sure they were still alone. “What do you want to do? I’m not sure who we can trust.”

“Brandr, go find my uncle, talk to him in person in case the coms are being monitored. Then find officers you can trust, and with their help, secure the communication center and the armoury.” Ronan stated his mind racing. He had to rescue Lilly, but he also had to secure the ship and find out how many officers were involved in this mutinous activity.

“At once, where shall you be?” Brandr queried.

“I’m going to rescue Cahir first, and then hopefully, Lars. I will need help I can trust. After that, I will rescue Lilly, and may the gods help anyone who has hurt Lilly.” Ronan declared.

Beside him, Eacha nodded in agreement. “It has been too long since I worked up a good sweat in battle. I once doubted Lilly was fit to be your wife, but Lilly more than proved she was worthy with her intelligence and bravery. Whoever was fool enough to take my princess shall soon wish they were dead.”

Ronan gave Eacha a nod. “Let’s go; the longer we take, the greater the danger to Lilly and Cahir. Brandr, don’t fail me; contact me as soon as you have secured the communication center.”

Ronan didn’t wait for Brandr to reply; he stepped up to a nearby work table and grabbed two long kitchen knives. He handed one to Eacha before hurrying out the door that led to the hall.

Brandr hit the communication unit on his wrist as the door closed behind Ronan and Eacha. “Admiral Arik, this is Brandr, I need to speak with you at once.”

Brandr didn’t wait for a reply as he headed out the door to the dining room at a rapid walk. He hated violence and tried to avoid it, but today he would make an exception. The fools who had taken the princess had signed their death warrants.